At the start of this year, no one could have predicted the momentous impact the last eight months would have on history. As all of us at Bunzl continue to work hard to serve you through the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, I would like to recognize and thank all front line and essential service workers, including our own employees. Know that we stand behind you and are working together with you as we all continue to adjust to life during the pandemic.
The stories of support to front line workers and those in need in communities across the country have been so inspiring. Bunzl Canada has worked hard to play our part, too, and has provided more community donations in 2020 than in any other single year. From safety supplies and food bank donations, to disinfecting products, equipment and onsite services, our Bunzl team has worked together to make a difference and I am so very proud of them all.
As we all come to terms with the “new normal,” one of the most dramatic changes we’ve all experienced has been in improving hygiene in public places with enhanced cleaning, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements and maintaining physical distance. Though news of success with a number of COVID-19 vaccines is reason for great hope and optimism, maintaining vigilance through 2021 will be critical. At Bunzl, we’re continually working to ensure you have access to the critical supplies and resources you need to keep your facilities and teams healthy and safe – but that’s not all.
More than ever, facility managers and environmental teams are being asked to do more with the same, or sometimes with fewer, resources. So this year we’ve introduced a number of innovative cleaning and hygiene technologies that make it possible to efficiently track, verify, and optimize cleaning programs. The WandaMOBILE™ digital cleaning app for mobile devices is one example. It captures real time data and provides instant reporting on cleaning activities, consumption patterns and compliance with specific cleaning protocols for each area of a facility. We also just announced the launch of a new occupancy sensing feature which detects when a specific area in a facility has reached capacity, and visually displays whether or not it’s safe to enter the space.
While the COVID-19 pandemic is certainly at the forefront of all of our minds, at Bunzl we continue to look to the future and how we can support you in increasing efficiency, reducing cost in use and becoming more environmentally sustainable. To that end, our specialized sourcing teams are identifying new technology innovations and more sustainable packaging alternatives. Our product development teams are focused on adding new features and enhancing the quality of our private brands to provide you with even greater performance and value. Our operations teams continue to raise the bar on safety, both within our facilities and on the road, as you’ll read in this edition.
Together with the entire Bunzl Canada team, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the privilege of serving you in 2020 and to wish you, your colleagues and your families continued good health.
Warm regards,
John Howlett
President, Bunzl Canada